Insurance companies decision to refuse cover for older cars unacceptable

23 July 2015

by Cllr Joe Costello

The decision by Aviva and Allianz, two of the country’s biggest motor insurance companies, to refuse cover to drivers whose cars are 20 years or older is entirely unacceptable.

The only criteria for roadworthiness must be the NCT Test. It is the only objective proof that a vehicle no matter what its age is fit for purpose.

The people who will be most affected by the decision will be older and poorer people who cannot afford a new or more recent model. The fact that there are 250,000 drivers of non-vintage cars over twenty years demonstrates the huge potential impact of the decision by Aviva and Allianz if other insurance companies follow suit.

The fact that there is no evidence to substantiate their claims that more accidents are caused by cars over twenty years old makes the decision even more perverse. Incidentally, If cars over twenty years were refused insurance cover in Cuba there would be no cars on the roads at all there!

Obsolescence is one of the guiding principles of the manufacturing industry but insurance companies should not be aiding and abetting them. It is time for the insurance industry to insist on standard criteria that is evidence-based rather than single out a vulnerable section of the community.